Carcinoma of the penis--the Groote Schuur Hospital experience

The records of 62 patients with carcinoma of the penis seen at Groote Schuur Hospital between 1968 and 1985 were analysed retrospectively. Jackson's staging system was used - 44% of patients were stage 1, 27% stage 2, 19% stage 3 and 10% stage 4. The results of treatment in each stage are outlined. Overall 65% of patients were alive and free of disease at follow-up while 24% died. The overall five-year survival rate was 56%. The management of the inguinal nodes is discussed. Early sentinel node biopsy is recommended, as clinical inguinal node assessment is inaccurate and late detection of inguinal node metastases is associated with a poor prognosis.